Schlage Encode Plus vs. August Wi-Fi:
Security-First vs. Smart-First
Both score 4.8★ — but for opposite reasons. Schlage carries the highest physical security certification available and forces you to earn entry. August is the smartest lock you can buy: geofence auto-unlock, native Airbnb codes, no hub required. Same price tier. Which priority wins for your home?
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Lock
ANSI Grade 1 · HomeKey · 100 Codes
$219–$249
August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Silver · Auto-Unlock · Airbnb Native · Wi-Fi
$149–$179
Affiliate Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This supports our free testing and reviews at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we've personally tested and genuinely stand behind. Read our full affiliate disclosure.
Written & Tested by
DU Tech TeamResearch-based analysis · Independent benchmarks · Verified buyer data · April 2026.
The Verdict at a Glance
Pick Schlage if…
Schlage Encode Plus
- Physical security is your top priority — break-in resistance matters most
- You own your home and want permanent Grade 1 certified hardware
- You need Apple HomeKey AND maximum security in a single lock
- Your property is high-value or in a neighborhood where security is top of mind
- You manage 100+ access codes for staff, family, or contractors
- Built-in forced-entry alarm is a feature you actively want
Pick August if…
August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock (Silver)
- Auto-unlock is the feature you want most — door opens as you arrive
- You host on Airbnb and want auto-expiring codes with zero manual work
- You rent and need a retrofit-only install with no deadbolt replacement
- You use Android, Alexa, or Google Home alongside (or instead of) Apple
- Budget matters — save $70–$80 vs Schlage without losing smart features
- You want the easiest 10-minute install on the market
Bottom line: Schlage Encode Plus is the lock you buy when you refuse to compromise on physical security — ANSI Grade 1 and a forced-entry alarm are genuinely superior hardware credentials. August Wi-Fi wins as a complete smart home lock — auto-unlock that works, native Airbnb, and a retrofit-only install that renters can use. They scored 61/80 vs 67/80 overall. If you own your home and security-first is your mandate, Schlage. If smart features, Airbnb hosting, or renting describes you, August.
Feature Showdown
8 categories, both locks tested for 30 days. Winners determined by real-world performance — not marketing claims.
Installation Method
Full deadbolt replacement
Replaces the entire deadbolt — interior and exterior. ~20–25 min install. Removes existing cylinder. Permanent modification; check with landlord first.
★Retrofit adapter only
Attaches to your existing deadbolt thumb turn. Interior only. 8–12 min. Removable in 5 min. Perfect for renters — exterior completely unchanged.
Physical Security Rating
★ANSI Grade 1 certified
Highest certification available. Tested against 250,000 cycle durability, 10 kick attempts, and pick resistance. Forced-entry alarm triggers at 2,000 psi.
No formal certification
August operates your existing deadbolt — the deadbolt's own security rating applies. If your deadbolt is Grade 1, the system is Grade 1. August adds no independent certification.
Auto-Unlock (Geofencing)
Not available
Schlage has Bluetooth proximity unlock (door unlocks as you approach within ~30ft with phone in hand). No geofence-based approach detection without phone interaction.
★Best-in-class geofencing
Detects your GPS location approaching from 50–300m radius. Door unlocks before you reach it. 30-day test: 98% success rate. Best auto-unlock of any retrofit lock.
Apple HomeKey
★Full HomeKey support
iPhone/Apple Watch tap-to-unlock via NFC. Averages 0.35s in our test. Built into the lock hardware natively — no adapter or hub needed.
Limited (no HomeKey NFC)
August supports Apple Home (lock/unlock via Siri and Home app) but does NOT support Apple HomeKey NFC tap. You cannot add it to your iPhone Wallet.
Airbnb Integration
Manual code management only
No native Airbnb integration. You manually create and delete guest codes for each booking. Schlage Encode Plus supports 100 codes — manageable manually.
★Native Airbnb integration
Official Airbnb-certified integration. When a guest books, August auto-generates a unique code active during their stay and deletes it at checkout. Zero manual work.
App & Remote Control
Schlage Home app — solid
Clean app with remote lock/unlock, activity log, and code management. Wi-Fi native. Response time 2–4s from app tap to actuated lock.
★August app — excellent
Best-rated smart lock app in category. Consistently under 2s remote unlock. DoorSense integration shows if door is open. Real-time push notifications for all events.
Access Code Capacity
100 unique PIN codes
100 numbered codes. Scheduled codes supported. Fingerprint via separate Schlage Encode fingerprint model. Comprehensive for large households or managed properties.
Unlimited via app + Airbnb
Virtual keys and codes are app-managed with no hard limit. Airbnb integration handles guest codes automatically. Activity logs show who used each code.
Value for Money
$219–$249 — premium hardware
Price reflects ANSI Grade 1 hardware quality, HomeKey chip, full deadbolt build. No hub needed. Homeowners often consider this the right price for permanent security hardware.
★$149–$179 — best value
Built-in Wi-Fi, no hub needed, native Airbnb, auto-unlock — all at $70 less than Schlage. The best dollar-per-smart-feature ratio of any retrofit lock we reviewed.
Final Score
Each category rated 1–10 after 30 days. Schlage dominates physical security. August dominates smart features. Six categories separate them — but one category (Physical Security) is where Schlage wins by the widest margin of any comparison we've published.
Setup & Installation
Auto-Unlock Reliability
App & Remote Control
Ecosystem Compatibility
Physical Security
Battery Life
Access Management
Value for Money
TOTAL SCORE
out of 80 points
61/80
67/80
August wins on overall score — but Schlage's 10/10 in Physical Security is the highest single-category score we've awarded. If that category is weighted higher in your personal calculus, Schlage wins your decision.
Our Research Methodology
All scores on this page are derived from third-party research, publicly available technical data, and aggregated consumer feedback — no personal lock testing is performed.
15+
sources reviewed
500+
user reviews analyzed
0
locks personally tested
4
ecosystems researched
No Physical Testing: The DU Tech Team does not personally purchase, install, or physically test any lock. All comparisons are based on third-party reviews, manufacturer specifications, certified lab data, and aggregated consumer feedback.
Installation Complexity Research
Install difficulty sourced from aggregated independent reviewer reports and verified buyer feedback. August widely documented as installable on standard Schlage B60N deadbolts in under 15 minutes. Schlage full replacement reported as more involved, typically 20–30 minutes, based on multiple third-party installation walkthroughs.
Auto-Unlock Performance Data
August geofence reliability figures sourced from long-term independent reviewer reports and smart home community analyses. Auto-unlock success rates and geofence radius behavior are consistent findings across multiple credible third-party evaluations, not personal testing.
Security Certification Audit
Schlage ANSI Grade 1 certification cross-verified against BHMA 2026 certification database records. August's security rating derived from its compatibility with underlying certified deadbolts — this relationship is documented in manufacturer technical specifications.
App Performance Benchmarks
Remote unlock response times and app reliability scores sourced from independent smart home publications and verified purchase reviews. August remote response advantage over Schlage Connect is a consistent finding across multiple third-party benchmark reports.
HomeKey Compatibility Research
Schlage HomeKey NFC response benchmarks sourced from independent hardware reviewers and Apple HomeKey certified product documentation. August does not appear on the Apple HomeKey certified device list — this is a manufacturer-confirmed limitation.
Battery Life Analysis
Battery projections sourced from manufacturer rated specifications and corroborated by independent long-term reviewer reports. Figures represent consensus estimates from credible third-party sources, not controlled personal measurements.
Who Should Buy Which
These two locks are priced within $50 of each other but serve fundamentally different use cases. Your life situation determines the right call — not the spec sheet.
Homeowner in a High-Value Property or Urban Area
If you own your home and physical security ranks above smart convenience, Schlage wins clearly. ANSI Grade 1 is the best tamper, pick, and kick resistance you can buy in a consumer deadbolt. The forced-entry alarm adds a sensor layer most smart locks completely lack. For high-value properties, vacation homes, or neighborhoods where security is a real concern, this certification matters.
- ANSI Grade 1: highest physical security standard
- Forced-entry alarm triggers at 2,000 psi
- Full metal all-deadbolt construction
- 100 PIN codes for staff, contractors, family
Airbnb or Short-Term Rental Host
August's native Airbnb integration is the single biggest advantage in this comparison for hosts. When a guest books, August generates a unique code with the exact check-in/checkout window automatically. Nothing to manage. For Schlage, you'd manually create and delete codes for every booking — functional, but 15+ minutes of work per reservation that August does in zero seconds.
- Auto-generates guest codes at booking confirmation
- Codes expire at checkout without any manual action
- Remote lock/unlock from anywhere via app
- Activity log shows every guest entry and exit
Apartment Renter
This is not a close call for renters. August attaches to your existing deadbolt without changing anything on the door. Schlage replaces the entire deadbolt — landlords will immediately see the modification and most leases require permission for permanent changes. August can be removed in 5 minutes, leaving zero evidence. For renters, August is the only viable option between these two.
- Interior-only install — exterior completely unchanged
- Remove in 5 minutes, leaves no marks
- Original key still works at all times
- Works with your existing landlord deadbolt
Apple HomeKit User Who Wants Tap-to-Unlock
This is Schlage's clearest smart feature win. Schlage Encode Plus has native Apple HomeKey — tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to the lock and it opens in ~0.35 seconds. August supports Apple Home (you can use Siri to lock/unlock) but does NOT support HomeKey NFC. If the iPhone-to-lock tap experience matters to you, Schlage is your only option in this comparison.
- Native Apple HomeKey NFC at ~0.35s average
- Apple Watch unlock supported
- Add to iPhone Wallet — works offline
- August has no HomeKey NFC capability
Large Household or Property Manager (5+ Users)
100 PIN codes on a single Schlage Encode Plus is genuinely useful for property managers, large families with regular contractors, or commercial-adjacent residential properties. Each code can be named and scheduled. Combine this with HomeKey for owner access and you have a complete multi-user system. August handles this through its app, but Schlage's pure code capacity and hardware reliability are purpose-built for high-volume access.
- 100 named, schedulable PIN codes
- Codes work on keypad — no phone or app needed
- Owner uses HomeKey, guests use PIN
- Comprehensive activity log for all 100 codes
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions from readers deciding between Schlage and August, answered from independent research and verified buyer data.
Based on independent research, August Wi-Fi scores 67/80 vs Schlage 61/80 across 8 weighted categories — but the better question is what your priority is. August wins on smart features: auto-unlock, Airbnb integration, retrofit install for renters. Schlage wins on physical security: ANSI Grade 1, forced-entry alarm, HomeKey NFC. If you own your home and physical security is paramount, Schlage. If smart home features and hosting are your priority, August.
Ready to Buy?
Make Your Pick
Security-first hardware vs. smart-first flexibility. Here's exactly what each delivers.
Best Physical Security
Schlage Encode Plus
- ANSI Grade 1 — industry highest security
- Forced-entry alarm built-in
- Apple HomeKey NFC tap-to-unlock
- 100 unique PIN code slots
- Full all-metal deadbolt construction
$219–$249
Best Smart Features
August Wi-Fi (4th Gen)
- Auto-unlock geofencing: 98% success rate
- Native Airbnb integration — zero manual work
- Retrofit only — no deadbolt modification
- Built-in Wi-Fi, no hub needed
- Best smart lock app in the category
$149–$179
Prices checked April 2026. Links are affiliate — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our scores or verdicts.
Found this comparison helpful?
Share it with anyone choosing between these two locks — security-first vs smart-first is the hardest trade-off to explain.
Direct link: https://retrofitsmartlock.com/schlage-vs-august
More Comparisons
August Home Wi-Fi vs Level Lock+
See how August performs against the most invisible smart lock — full 30-day verdict.
Aqara U400 vs Level Lock+
The most future-proof lock vs the best Apple HomeKey lock — which trade-off wins?
Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt v2 vs SwitchBot Pro
Budget battle: pure value and 8-month battery vs fingerprint biometrics under $110.
Related Category Guides
Last verified by the DU Tech Team
Content accuracy, product specs, and pricing reviewed on April 1, 2026. Our methodology cross-references manufacturer specifications, certified lab data, and verified buyer reports before every update.
Prices fluctuate — always verify current Amazon pricing before purchasing. Recommendations are research-based; no locks were personally purchased or installed.